José Javier Abella Fanjul is a Mexican footballer who currently plays for Atlason loan from Santos Laguna of the Liga MX. José Abella and Mexican international footballer Miguel Layún are second cousins as their Mexican grandmothers are sisters, sharing a great-grandparent in common.
Club career
Santos Laguna
Abella began his career with Santos Laguna's affiliate team Santos Casino of the Third Division of Mexico. After playing a couple of years with the team Abella was brought to Torreon to the youth team of Santos. Jose Abella professionally debuted with Santos 19 September 2012 in a match of the 2012-13 CONCACAF Champions League against Club Deportivo Águila of El Salvador, match that ended in a 4–0 win. His first game in the Copa Libertadores was 11 February 2014 in a 1–0 victory over Arsenal de Sarandí of Argentina. On 18 February 2014 he scored his first professional goal against Club Atlético Peñarol during a Copa Libertadores match. Ten days later he scored his first goal in the first division in a 2–3 home defeat against Club Atlas. Jose Abella made his Mexican league debut with Santos Laguna 26 July 2013 in a 3–2 home game win against Cruz Azul. Abella disputed all 90' minutes and received a yellow card in the 8' minute of the match. with the arrival of Portuguese coach Pedro Caixinha Abella received full confidence by the coach and was a starter in most of the Apertura 2013 season since Osmar Mares was injured. Santos was placed 2nd in the general table and also reached the Semi-finals in the playoffs that season, losing to the eventual champion Club Leon 3–5 on aggregate score with Jose missing one match that season. Jose Abella was officially given a contract 1 July2013. during the Clausura 2014 season, Abella disputed all 90' minutes of every match contested, and Santos reached the Semi-finals, losing to Pachuca on a 4–4 Aggregate score.with Jose missing one match due to a previous red card suspension.
International career
In early 2018 media sources claimed Abella could have possibly represented the Lebanese national side if he was not to be called by Mexico. Then in September 2018 he was called up by Ricardo Ferretti for two friendly matches against Uruguay and the United States. He made his senior debut against the United States, where Mexico lost 0–1.
